Coaching great Allan Jeans dies

Will Brodie

Legendary former St Kilda, Hawthorn and Richmond coach Allan Jeans has passed away at the age of 77. Jeans had been suffering from fibrosis of the lungs and had been in palliative care in Lynbrook, near Cranbourne, for several years.

Jeans' influence still strong today

AFL writer Rohan Connolly on the late Allan Jeans influence on the modern era of coaches in the game.

Jeans coached St Kilda to its only premiership in 1966, and led the Saints in 332 games between 1961 and 1976. He took over coaching the club at the age of 28, having played 77 games for the Saints between 1955 and 1959.

His reign at Hawthorn between 1981 and 1990 (he missed 1988 through illness) yielded premierships in 1983, 1986 and 1989. His mighty era with the Hawks spanned 159 wins from 221 games and 14 wins from 23 finals.

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"I spoke to him about 48 hours ago and I knew it was the last time I was ever going to speak to him, and its a really sad thing when somebody who has had such a profound effect on your life says good bye to you in a way, and you know it's the last time..."

"I told him that from 15 years of age I heard his voice more than my own father's for the next ten, 12 years, you know five, six days a week, 90% of it was not about football, it was about life, and how you conducted yourself."

He described former policeman and wrestler Jeans as "the most morally sound man I have ever come across" and one of only three "great" people he had met through football.

Brereton's Hawthorn teammate and 1986 Brownlow Medallist Robert Dipierdomenico says Jeans' legacy "will live on forever at the club and in life in general."

Western Bulldogs coach and former Hawthorn star Rodney Eade said 'Yabby' Jeans had a profound effect on players, who saw an empathetic side to his character, as well as the "hard and ruthless" manner exhibited publicly.

"Everyone he came into contact with he had a profound effect (upon)... Apart from being a good coach he was a terriffic person and he spoke sense... He had a great ability to motivate people even though you probably didn't think he was motivating you."

He said Jeans had a "terriffic sense of humour" which he hid from the public and was a great orator, despite his mild demeanour.

Eade said Jeans' "character, hard work, honesty" had a huge impact on Hawthorn players, and his tactical nous helped transform the game in the 1980s, when Hawthorn were at the forefront of 'play-on' football, revolutionising the code with a squad of super-fit, hard-running medium sized midfielders.

Jeans was renowned for his droll wit, and his demystifying of football.

"They're like sausages. You can boil them, grill them or curry them, but ultimately they're still sausages," he said of footballers.

He was famous for boiling down the AFL code to "They've got it (the football), you've got it, or it's in dispute."

Interviewed in March at his Lynbrook care facility in March, Jeans said "I won four flags, lost a couple, but my greatest achievement will always be my family (he has four children and 10 grandchildren)."

AFL greats including Brereton had been regular visitors until recently.

Last September, Jeans resisted media entreaties for an interview when St Kilda made the grand final, despite being the only living Saints premiership winning coach, refusing to take the spotlight from incumbent coach Ross Lyon.

The Hawthorn Football Club announced its "great sadness" at the passing of its premiership coach and life member.

"Hawthorn Football Club has lost a very humble and extraordinary individual, who not only nurtured many of our players, but also led the Club to premierships in 1983, 1986 and 1989," said Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett.

"We will all miss him."

As a mark of respect for Allan Jeans, Hawthorn players and on-field officials will wear black armbands for the club's Round 18 match against Melbourne.

St Kilda will also wear black armbands in its round 17 match.

St Kilda Football Club CEO Michael Nettlefold said the passing of Allan Jeans will be felt deeply by everyone at the club and throughout football.

"Allan’s contribution to the game went well beyond the statistics as his coaching changed the way the game was played.

"Allan generously continued his contribution to the game well after his active coaching career finished, sharing his extensive knowledge of coaching and our great game."

"Allan was a person of great strength, honesty and integrity and will forever be remembered as the man who helped deliver our first Premiership Cup."

"Our sincere thoughts and condolences go to his family and friends at this difficult time."

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou extended his sympathies on behalf of the league.

"Allan 'Yabby' Jeans was more than just a football coach. He was also a mentor and a revered figure to many players during a decorated career that spanned four decades." he said.

"Having played under him at Hawthorn, I know what a tremendous influence he was on not just the careers of many players, but also their lives off the field."

The Minister for Sport and Recereation Hugh Delahunty expressed his sympathy to Jeans' wife Mary and his family, saying "there was no doubt he was respected both on and off the field.

"He was one of the first coaches to bring strategic thinking into the coaching of AFL footballers."

Jeans is a Hall of Fame member for Sport Australia, the AFL, Hawthorn and St Kilda.

"I think my memory of the game was that three-quarter-time address, but also a moment after the game when we all got together and Allan spoke to us in a way that I'll never forget.

"All of us just sat and listened to him explain that wherever we went in the world or whatever happened in our lives, he would never forget us as a group of people. He said in the end our faces would live for life in his memory.

"Allan Jeans will always have a special place in my heart," Neale said.

"In 1971 I lost my father suddenly and Allan stepped into the breach as a stepfather. He was a wonderful man, a good man, who was so kind to me and my family, even down to the point of helping me when I was buying my first home and giving me guidance in life."

In extending its sympathies, the AFL Coaches Association announced that it would pay tribute to Jeans at its awards night in grand final week.

Jeff Kennett said the funeral of Allan Jeans will be held on Wednesday.